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”Think local. Think Brazos!” The Think Brazos Podcast hosts conversations with locals, politicians, and experts to discuss policies that impact housing affordability, economic opportunity, and financial resiliency for families in Brazos County. Disclosure and disclaimer: The purpose of the Think Brazos Podcast is to present to the public a deeper sense of who the candidates are who hope to lead this community and to create a space for them to present their ideas, especially about housing and affordability. However, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity (which created and sponsors Think Brazos) does not and cannot endorse any particular candidate or political party. The open dialogue we create by doing our utmost to speak to every candidate for a particular political race we decide to cover should in no way be construed as an endorsement of the candidate or his/her political party. Further, the ideas and opinions expressed by the candidates we interview are purely their own and not necessarily those of Habitat for Humanity. Housing affordability is an important issue, so we thank you for following the Think Brazos Podcast. Executive Producer - Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Producers - Charles and Whitney Coats Host - Charles Coats Videographer and Sound Engineer - Mario Treviño
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Fred Medina is a lawyer in Bryan, Texas. He describes himself as a "union guy" and wants to be the next representative for Texas House District 14, representing College Station, most of Bryan, Kurten, and Tabor. This district is currently represented by John Raney, who is not seeking re-election. Medina is unopposed on the Democratic ballot. He is expected to face the winner of the Republican primary in the election on November 5, 2024.
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party.
Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, we welcome Tyler Eutsler, a former Navy electronics technician turned urban planning student at Texas A&M University. Tyler shares his journey from joining the Navy at 17 to discover new opportunities, serving as a career counselor, discovering a passion for urban planning and ultimately studying it at Texas A&M. He also reflects on his time working for Habitat for Humanity, discusses his research into zoning in Bryan, Texas, and provides his perspective on minimum lot sizes and how they impact housing affordability. Now, on the brink of graduation, Tyler looks ahead to potentially pursuing graduate school.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
William "Joel" Bryan VI is running unopposed for the Bryan ISD school board at large place 6 seat. He came on the Think Brazos podcast to discuss his campaign. This interview is part of a series on the Think Brazos Podcast where host Charles Coats interviews local candidates for office. The other candidate interviews for the Bryan Independent School District races are available on our YouTube channel and via podcast.
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
We would like to thank the Elohim Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas for donating the space to record this conversation.
Check out their Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2e2iZOUw-bsAIkQ1we1s3Q
If you'd like to help support the podcast, please donate at https://bit.ly/supportthinkbrazos
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Prentiss Madison is a former city councilman running for the Bryan ISD Board of Trustees Place 2 seat. He joins the Think Brazos Podcast to discuss his campaign.
This interview is part of a series on the Think Brazos Podcast where host Charles Coats interviews local candidates for office. The other candidate interviews for the Bryan Independent School District races will be on our YouTube channel and via podcast.
SAVE THE DATE: Habitat's Candidates Build is October 6th. Sign up here https://habitatbrazos.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/85059c2b-a870-4da2-9525-c683abe46939
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party.
Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
We would like to thank the Elohim Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas for donating the space to record this conversation. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
If you'd like to help support the Think Brazos podcast, please donate at https://bit.ly/supportthinkbrazos
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Julie Harlin is running for re-election to the Bryan Independent School District Place 2 seat and joins the Think Brazos Podcast to discuss her campaign.
This interview is part of a series on the Think Brazos Podcast where host Charles Coats interviews local candidates for office. The other candidate interviews for the Bryan Independent School District races will be on our YouTube channel and podcast platforms.
SAVE THE DATE: Habitat's Candidates Build is October 6th. Sign up here https://habitatbrazos.volunteerhub.com/vv2/event/85059c2b-a870-4da2-9525-c683abe46939
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party.
Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
If you'd like to help support the podcast, please donate at https://bit.ly/supportthinkbrazos
We would like to thank the Elohim Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas for donating the space to record this conversation. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Chrissy Ransome joins the Think Brazos Podcast to discuss her candidacy for the Bryan Independent School District Place 2 seat.
This interview is part of a series on the Think Brazos Podcast where host Charles Coats interviews local candidates for office. The other candidate interviews for the Bryan Independent School District races will be on our YouTube channel.
SAVE THE DATE: Candidates Build is October 6th. Sign up here
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party.
Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
If you'd like to help support the podcast, please donate at https://bit.ly/supportthinkbrazos
We would like to thank the Elohim Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas for donating the space to record this conversation. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
"Elections are black and white. Politics are messy and emotional." - Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock
Listen to this conversation with Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock on the Think Brazos Podcast. In this episode, we talk about how she got into elections administering, what it takes to run an election, the November 2023 ballot, filing period, and what’s coming up in 2024.
NO ENDORSEMENTS. Just podcasts.
Full disclosure: https://bit.ly/3RRF5gu
The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org
If you'd like to help support the podcast, please donate at https://bit.ly/supportthinkbrazos
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Host Charles Coats and returning guest Lindsay Hackett discuss strategies and available resources to help residents age in place in Bryan/College Station, Texas. “Aging in place” is a term used to describe the desire to remain in the same home for as long as possible.
Lindsay serves as a volunteer on the City of Bryan’s Community Development Advisory Committee. Professionally, she is a planning consultant in Bryan, Texas. Lindsay graduated from Texas A&M’s School of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. Through her company Hackett Planning, she helps places across the country enable better housing options for residents.
Local resources mentioned in the episode:
- City of Bryan community programs (ex. Minor repair program to “alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of low-income home owners”) https://www.bryantx.gov/community-development/community-development-programs/
- Rebuilding Together BCS
- ElderAid BCS - 979-823-5127
- Weatherization program, run by the Brazos Valley Council of Government’s Community Action Program
Support the podcast by donating to Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity: https://bit.ly/3RIiy5T
Visit the Think Brazos website to learn more.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Neo Jang is a resident of College Station, Texas and for the past couple years, he has used a cargo bike to transport his children around town instead of a car. In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, Neo discusses his evolution from a car guy to a bike dad and how he has connected with others in College Station along the way.
Neo serves as a volunteer on the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, which works to improve those aspects of quality of life for residents in College Station, Texas.
Important links:
Think Brazos website
Mentioned in the episode:
College Station’s Citizen’s University is a free class where you can learn about how your city functions.
YouTube video "Why did kids stop walking to school?"
Book titled "Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World"
Insight for relationship between housing and transportation policy: Strong Towns
Support the podcast by donating to Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity: https://bit.ly/3RIiy5T
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
State Representative John Raney joins the Think Brazos Podcast to discuss the 88th legislative session and his philosophy on local control. Raney also calls for constituents to get more involved in primaries and small businesses to engage in legislation.
Important links:
Think Brazos website
Mentioned in the episode:
Habitat Texas’s bill HB1704 can be found at Legiscan.com here.
Texas Tribune’s article “To tackle high housing costs, Texas lawmakers push to build more homes”
Support the podcast by donating to Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity: https://bit.ly/3RIiy5T